The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Ms Thembi Nkadimeng has noted with concern the prevailing adverse weather conditions characterised by veld fires and heavy rains affecting most Provinces. The Minister urges communities across the country to be extra cautious as the potential for further inclement and windy weather conditions remains high. Minister Nkadimeng has directed respective disaster management centres to activate relief and response measures to ensure the presevation of live through their rescue and recovery efforts.
The Provinces of the Western and the Eastern Cape have thus far experienced major flooding which has resulted in significant damages to infrastructure and property. Sadly, several communities have been displaced and some roads are inaccessible which is detrimentally affecting lives and livelihoods.
The Minister has also noted the high alert early warning issued by South African Weather Service (SAWS) particularly for the Western and Eastern Cape provinces. In both provinces, some of the areas include, City of Cape Town; Garden Route; Central Karoo district; West coast district; Theewaterskloof; Gugulethu; Sarah Baartman; Nelson Mandela, etc.
Based on the reports and the weather forecast for the next couple of days as predicted by the SAWS, communities must be extra vigilant especially in coastal areas. Warnings have also been extended for some parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces for the 27th September 2023.
The heavy rains are accompanied by strong winds which can lead to high tide, with the ocean's waters creeping up the shore, thus endangering lives.
To this effect, the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) is working collaboratively with Disaster Management Teams from across the three spheres of government and other teams to provide assistance where required. Minister calls on all social sectors and partners to mobilise aid and resources in order to respond adequately to the needs of affected communities.
As more rains are still expected, Minister urges the public to observe the following safety measures:
- Communities urged to be extra vigilant and exercise caution especially flood prone areas.
- Communities urged to follow the regular updates and warning messages from the SAWS.
- Communities are urged to work with relevant authorities and follow safety tips.
- In affected areas, communities are residing in low-lying areas must take extra care during storms, as sudden floods might affect them.
- Communities urged to monitor the rising water levels and evacuate the areas to a safer places in case or water level rises.
- Communities to be cautious as power lines might be impacted and lying on the roads.
- Communities to be vigilant as the heavy rains left lots of debris on the roads.
- Communities urged not cross through flooded roads or bridges or low lying bridges, streams and rivers – use other safer routes.
- Communities urged not to try to walk, swim or drive in swift-flowing water. Even if the water is 15 cm deep, it can sweep you off your feet.
- Motorists urged to drive and park in safer areas.
- The public should contact their municipal disaster management centres or the nearest police station or call the national emergency numbers (112, 10177 or 107) when faced with threats.
- Communities to sensitise children about the dangers of floods.
- Keep your important documents in a water-resistant container.
- Keep your cell phone in close proximity to you and have emergency numbers at hand.
- Communities urged to especially vigilant at night. It is harder to recognise potentially deadly road hazards.
- Communities are warned of possible water contamination due to with raw sewage or other dangerous substances.
In addition to the heavy rains, other provinces are experiencing fires which gravitated out of control, leading to loss of property and infrastructure.
Communities are urged to be cautious:
- Never leave kitchen unattended whilst cooking.
- Regular Inspection of heating sources.
- Store any flammable products correctly and out of reach of children
- Ensuring regular Maintain electricity wires.
- Be cautious with open flames.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or blanket around at all times.
- Be cautious with the use of candles.
- Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children, and only use lighters with child-resistant features.
- Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, and furnaces professionally inspected and cleaned regularly.
- Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
- Keep all potential sources of fuel like paper, clothing, bedding or rugs at least three feet away from space heaters, stoves, or fireplaces.
Summer seasons contigency plans are in place across all provinces to assist with swift and coordinated responses. The summer season awareness and education campaign has also kickstarted to ensure that communities are kept informed and know how to respond in an event of distress.
The challenges that are brought by the summer season are affecting all Provinces, hence the importance of coordinated planning and response. Working together will also ensure that municipalities are also able to respond adequately.
Both the heavy rains and strong fires led to eleven (11) fatalities (8) from floods and three claimed by fires and urged caution as in Tshwane there were three fatalities reported.
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